Russell-Cooke promotes three to new legal director role

Russell-Cooke is delighted to announce the promotion of three individuals across its charities, French law and real estate teams to the newly established role of Legal Director.

Sukanya Ransford joined Russell-Cooke in 2003 and has 25 years of experience as a solicitor, principally as a charity law specialist.

Sukanya has a strong background in corporate law and predominantly works on charity governance matters, as well as advising charities on establishment, mergers, restructuring, trading subsidiaries and commercial contracts. She is a member of the Charity Law Association and regularly speaks at industry events on issues around the duties of trustees and effective governance. She also provides training for clients in relation to the role of the Board, risk management and other governance matters.

Patrick Delas joined Russell-Cooke in 2004. A joint French and UK national, Patrick is an avocat au barreau de Paris and a solicitor. He has 27 years of experience as a French avocat and 15 as an English solicitor. He specialises in private international law and his work includes advising on French and cross-border legal and tax issues, including in relation to Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Wealth Tax and trust reporting obligations.

He is a recognised thought leader in the space on both sides of the Channel, having written for well-known publications in both France and the UK. He also speaks regularly on cross-border matters to practitioners and professional bodies in both France and the UK.

Paul Reed joined Russell-Cooke in 2000 and has over 40 years’ experience as a Chartered Legal Executive, specialising in all areas of property law. He has a wide commercial property practice with extensive experience of acting for developers, in in site acquisitions, including using conditional contracts, options, overage arrangements, promotional agreements, and site disposals by way of sub-sales or site set up and the sale of new builds.

A member of the Agricultural Lawyers Association, Paul also acts for farming estates, covering acquisitions, disposals and lettings, as well as alternative land uses including for telecoms towers and solar parks. He has further experience advising on golf course land transactions and the sale and purchase of houseboats and moorings. Russell-Cooke has introduced the new legal director role to recognise senior individuals with deep specialist expertise, experience and professional standing, and to provide an enhanced career development pathway.  

James Carroll, Joint Managing Partner at Russell-Cooke said:

“Paul, Patrick and Sukanya have been key members of their respective teams for many years and are prime examples of why it was important to us to introduce the new role of legal director. They have each established thriving practices, with longstanding client relationships, and a commensurate, well-deserved industry reputation – all contributing to our success and growth as a firm. I congratulate them wholeheartedly as they move into this next chapter of their careers with Russell-Cooke.”